An Open House and Discussion is planned for Oct. 29 from 3 to 5:30 p.m. at the Hoch Orchard & Gardens, 32553 Forster Rd., LaCrescent. Harry and Jackie Hoch are beginning to look for the next farmers/food entrepreneurs to take over their multi-faceted business enterprises and farm.
Join in for a tour of the property, learn about the operations, and explore the various options that might be available - from renting, purchasing, or partnering in the business enterprises. The Hochs are working with American Farmland Trust with the goal to make this property affordable to the next generation of farmers.
Schedule:
3-4 p.m. -- Guided tour starts (so please arrive early. The farm is open from 11am - 4pm that day, so feel free to come earlier in the day if you'd like to take more time.
4-5:30 p.m. -- Discussion with Harry and Jackie and farmland access experts (a light meal featuring products from the farm and cider tasting after the meeting)
Hoch Orchard and Gardens sits on top of a ridge above the Mississippi River in the Driftless Region of Southeast Minnesota. This 60 acres, fully diversified organic farm includes 10,000 trees on thirty acres. There are over 50 varieties of apples, as well as cherries, apricots, plums, strawberries, and raspberries, as well as a mix of vegetables and livestock.
There are many enterprises working on the farm - with the three main businesses being: 1) Hoch Orchard and Gardens, the parent company that owns the farm; 2) Minnesota's Finest Fruit Products LLC which is the fruit processing company that makes juices and jams; 3) a licensed Minnesota Farm Winery registered as Minnesota'sFinest Fermented Products LLC. (The actual cidery is called Hoch Orchard Hard Cider).
Much more information can be found at www.hochorchard.com or https://www.facebook.com/hochorchard/
If you have questions, please contact Jan at jan@rtcinfo.org or at 612-251-7304.
The event is hosted by the Farmland Access Hub Outreach Working Group, Region 9 Economic Development Commission, University of Wisconsin-Extension, University of Minnesota-Extension, Land Stewardship Project and Renewing the Countryside with Support from USDA Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program.
Categories: Minnesota, Crops, Fruits and Vegetables, Livestock